Three Makes Baby Podcast

In this heartfelt episode, I speak with Angela, an egg donor who shares her medical scare that could impact the lives of the children born from her donations. As an egg donor beginning in 2010, with children herself, she share her challenges with anonymity and the feelings she has had since donating, including the responsibility she feels to inform the children born from her donations of a potentially heritable condition. Angela advocates for better transparency and communication within the egg donation field. This episode is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of our actions and the lives we touch.

Host Jana Rupnow engages in a compelling conversation with Dr. Jill Maron, Chief of Pediatrics at Women's and Infant Hospital and Professor of Pediatrics at Brown University. Dr. Maron shares her unique perspective as both a neonatologist and a donor-conceived individual, offering a deeply personal account of discovering her genetic origins at the age of 46. Dr. Maron discusses the ethical implications of DNA testing for donor-conceived children, the unregulated donor system in the United States, and the psychological burden that can accompany genetic revelations. She also highlights the importance of protecting children's autonomy and ensuring responsible practices in the field of reproductive technology. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the complexities of genetic testing, the responsibilities of parents and medical professionals, and the need for greater regulation to safeguard the well-being of donor-conceived individuals. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of genetics, ethics, and the lived experiences of donor-conceived people.

Lindsay, a donor-conceived individual. continues to share her perspective on International Donor Conception Awareness Day, 2024. Learn one person's perspective on controversial issues like donor anonymity, DNA testing, health information, and emotional ramifications. She shares how genetics significantly influence our sense of self and how comprehending biological lineage can be not only revealing but also liberating. importance of early and open conversations with donor-conceived children, fostering understanding, and acceptance. This episode highlights the integral role of a donor in a recipient's identity formation and underscores the shared responsibility of parents to acknowledge and celebrate their child's complete genetic heritage. This epi will help you understand the nuances, challenges, and inherent beauty of donor conception. Listen in as my guest shares her heart-stirring commitment to help people understand the realities and implications of being donor conceived. In concurrence with International Donor Conception Awareness Day, this episode aims to promote the narrative of the donor-conceived community. Tune in, learn, and embrace the essence of valuing the voices of the donor-conceived community, this year's IDCAD theme.

It's the 4th annual International Donor Conception Awareness Day and in line with the theme, "Valuing the Voices of Donor Conceived People" I welcome Lindsay again, a donor-conceived individual, to share her profound story of self-discovery and conception.  Lindsay talks about her journey and the transformation in her perspective over time. Lindsay’s story serves as a prominent example of the shifting dynamics in the discourse around donor parents and donor-conceived individuals and it defines the essence of our conversation. Follow Lindsay's narrative as she ventures through years of uncertainty, exploration and affirmation, grappling with complex emotions and a deep-set longing for her biological roots. Throughout her journey, Lindsay confronts ethical boundaries, familial tensions and sweeping revelations, all stemming from the simple yet profound fact of her donor conception. The conversation touches on how Lindsay discovered she was donor-conceived, her experience navigating the terrain of sibling discoveries, and her encounter with a 'public eye' biological parent who won't acknowledge her. Lindsay's story adds another layer of truth to the unspoken narratives of donor-conceived individuals, highlighting their quiet struggles and the need for donor conception education and transparency. Tune in for what promises to be a thought-provoking discussion. From unequal power dynamics in the fertility industry to the concept of genetic genealogy, we delve deep into our perceptions of identity, inheritance, and belonging. Visit donorconceptionawarenessday.com for more info.

After taking some time off for several positive life transitions in 2023, Jana returns to her podcast with a bang! To kick off season 4, she's chatting with the multi-talented Erin Maya – actress, producer, composer, and the brains behind The Complete Picture Musical, a groundbreaking show about donor conception. Together, they unpack the birth of this musical gem and explore the complexities of donor conception, busting myths and shedding light on what it's really like. Trust is a big theme here, especially when it comes to the bond between parents and donor-conceived kids. Erin shares her own journey, from grappling with her identity to owning it with pride, showing us that trust and open communication are game-changers. This episode gives us a glimpse into the overlapping themes of those touched by adoption and donor conception. As an adoptee, Jana shares her own story of reconnecting with her biological father, showing us the highs and lows of the experience, including the immense love and loyalty she has for her dad, the one that raised her. In the end, it's all about the power of honest conversations. Whether you're navigating donor conception yourself or just curious about it, this episode is a must-listen for its invaluable insights and heartfelt storytelling.  If you're interested in watching the entire concert, simply email thecompletepicturemusical@gmail.com for the link. She would appreciate any donations in return. You can send your donations to the musical's Venmo account @thecompletepicturemusical. For more information and updates about The Complete Picture, follow the show on Instagram @thecompletepicturemusical or visit our website at www.thecompletepicturemusical.com. If you'd like to get involved, please reach out to Erin at thecompletepicturemusical@gmail.com.

Uprooted offers a personal view of the consequences of secrecy in the practice of donor conception. A prominent CEO, Peter Boni, uncovers a family secret that both validates and disrupts his life. Combing his extensive research of the early practice of donor insemination with his own genetic discoveries, Boni reveals the questions, uncertainties and confusion he faced, as well as the exhilaration of connecting with genetic kin.   Boni provides a detailed history of the practice of donor conception, walking us through the social, legal and religious climate that encouraged secrets in reproductive technology and stunted the advancement of our social narratives.   Secrets are no match for personal determination and the universal need for self-discovery, no matter what age. Boni doesn’t stop his search until his deceased parents’ secret comes to light.

Tiffany shares her story of paternal loss, how it has shaped her life and how it fuels her advocacy work for donor conceived people.

Freya shares her experience being raised in a two mom family, connecting with her biological father and parenting her donor conceived daughter, Birdie, with her wife.       

Romi and Britt, two moms through sperm donation, share their journey to better understanding their child's potential perspective. Britt shares how she has worked through her vulnerabilities as the non-genetic parent and has a totally different view from when they first embarked on this journey. Romi's lived personal experience with non-genetic family life, gives her an inside understanding of the irreplaceable role of parenting.    Update since the recording: They connected with their child's donor. 

Bee of @inconceivedable tells the rest of her story. In 2020, Bee opened her 23and me account again to discovery 12 half-siblings. In this episode, Bee shares her raw emotions as she unravels a secret that re-defined her and her relationships. Follow @inconceivedable. Follow @janarupnowlpc Receive updates for parent education workshops. Buy Three Makes Baby Audio Book on sale until May 6. Hosted by Jana Rupnow, LPC, Music by Kevin McCloud

"Science is how I get pregnant." "Bee" of @Inconceivedable, recounts how her experiences with infertility lead  her to  an unexpected discovery about her family. A curious call makes her wonder if her dad was a sperm donor.   Three Makes Baby is  hosted by Jana Rupnow,  music by Kevin McCloud Buy Three Makes Baby Audio Book Follow Jana on social media @janarupnowlpc    

April 27, 2021 is the first International Donor Conception Awareness Day. Twenty-five partners around the world collaborated to bring you this day and the intentions behind it. Go to donorconceptionawarenessday.com for more and participate on the day by posting on your social media accounts on April 27, 2021.  Listen to an interview with Jana Rupnow and Michelle of Donor Concierge to learn more about this new awareness day. See the partners below   Jana Rupnow & Three Makes Baby Podcast Cassandra Adams Fertility Circle Camille Guaty Happy Together Children's Book Donor Conception Canada Egg Donation Australia Life_DI_Dad The LGBT Mummies Tribe Tulip Fertility  Donor Conception and Beyond Donor Conception Network Half of Me Podcast Fertility Help Hub Healing Infertility Donor Concierge Fertility Coach- Meta Getman Inconceivedable  Sacred and Free Conceive Fertility Center Defining Mum Your IVF Abroad  Roads to Family You Look Like Me   Intentions of #IDCAD The day is intended to shed a light on families made in different ways due  to medical infertility, chromosomal impairments, childhood or young  adult cancer, and various other reasons and lifting shame and secrecy  around the topic. The day is about raising  awareness about donor conceived individual’s experiences across the  lifespan, including the topic of access to genetic information and lifting shame and secrecy around the topic. The day is intended to raise awareness about LGBTQ family building The day is about raising awareness about donor’s rights to receive accurate  medical information and education on the impact of donor conceived  triad across the lifespan.     

Nikita was my very first guest on the podcast. She came on to spread the word about her search to find her sperm donor in 30 days. Nikita was raised by a single mom who chose sperm donation to have her. The donation was out of the ordinary: a 50-year-old anonymous man donated sperm in the UK before 1997.  Nikita shares what she has discovered in the last 16 months. Her search led to an unexpected surprise!             Listen to see if you can help her find the man that helped conceive her. If you have any information to share, email nikitatrue1997@gmail.com.   Music: Half Mystery by Kevin Macleod

Dr. Tober is an assistant professor at the University of California San Francisco Institute for Health and Aging. She's also faculty at Bixby Center for Reproductive Health in the Department of Anthropology, History and Social Medicine. Dr. Tober is conducting the largest mixed method study on egg donors, with over 500 egg donors from all over the world. It began eight years ago with a call from an egg donor with a group called, We Are Egg Donors. Many of the members of her group had complications and they felt it was important wanted to collaborate to follow up with donors.

Hannah's resiliency after learning she was donor conceived in a hurtful way Her parents waited too long to tell her the truth. Hannah’s parents intended to tell her about her donor conception but never found the right moment. Then it was too late. Someone else who knew the secret, revealed the secret to Hannah in a hurtful way. By this time, Hannah’s dad had developed Alzheimer’s and she could no longer talk to him about it. Hannah speaks about how she used to be fundamentally opposed to donor conception but her viewpoint is shifting. She shows resiliency and depth in this new episode of Three Makes Baby podcast.

Eric is a father to two teenagers who were donor conceived and started a blog 15 years ago called "Life as Dad to Donor Insemination (DI) Kids."  His experience is invaluable to younger parents just starting their journey. Eric has a child-centered focus and shares his experience with dc feelings, including anger and ambivalence. He addresses the challenges that dc adults have faced with banks and consequences of dishonesty. Eric shares with host, Jana Rupnow, how parents can cope with feelings of guilt and how to have an ongoing conversation with your kids as they grow. 

Raised by a single mom, Kyle shares his experiences about knowing that he was sperm donor conceived at an early age. We do a deep dive into several important topics, like, telling your child about their conception and avoiding the learned shame that a stigma can cause in family life. Parents commonly tell me they want to wait to tell their child until they are teenagers but Kyle has advice for parents. (You’ll have to listen to hear it.) 😉Kyle also explains how uncovering previously unknown genetic information added value to life and explored the reasons that tracking half-siblings are important. #spermdonation #podcast #singlemom #solomom #dcadult #donorconceived #dcperspective

Renee and Tom manage grief as a couple on their long road of fertility treatments.

Jana Rupnow collaborated with FIVE parents of donor conceived children from FOUR countries (🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇦🇺 🇨🇦 🇺🇸) to bring you a thoughtful dialogue about difficult topics surrounding donor conception. PART 2 Five parents of dc children ranging in age from several months old to fifteen years old, discuss topics that donor conceived adults struggle with and explore how they might handle these issues with their children. They did this to help open the dialogue about donor conception, understand the donor conceived viewpoint and help educate others. I asked each parent this question: What are your thoughts on anonymity?  How do you feel about your story of infertility vs your child's story? Some DC adults express fears over accidental dating of half-siblings in anonymous situations? How will you address this?

Male factor infertility contributes to approx 30-40% of all fertility related problems. Unfortunately, azoospermia (zero sperm) is a condition that is becoming more common. . So guys, I advise you to test your fertility early. Yes, before you’re even thinking of a family. This kit by @yospermtest is a simple screening test that can help you identify issues with your count. It works with your smart phone and even gives you a video you can send to your doctor. I’ll be doing a story about how the test works soon! . #spermtest #malefactorinfertility #infertility #ttc #varicocele #azoospermia